Candidates line up for Board of Supervisors seat

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The race to replace a San Mateo County supervisor who will leave office early next year is already in full swing, even though no one knows if there will be an election.

Several candidates have already confirmed plans to vie for the seat of Supervisor Mark Church, who was elected in an uncontested race in June to the post of assessor-clerk-recorder with two years remaining on his supervisor term. Gina Papan, a Millbrae City Council member; Richard Holober, a trustee for the San Mateo County Community College; and Dave Pine, a trustee for the San Mateo Union High School District, have all said they are definitely running. A fourth prospective candidate, Burlingame Vice Mayor Terry Nagel, has said she is considering jumping into the race.

Rather than resign early so his successor could be chosen in the November election, Church decided to stay until he takes office as assessor Jan. 3.

Church declined to comment.

All three confirmed candidates have said they hope there is an election to fill the seat, but it’s not certain that will happen. Under the current county charter, the remaining supervisors must choose to either call for a special election or appoint a replacement within 30 days of the vacancy.

But voters could make that decision for them if they approve Measure U on the November ballot. The charter amendment would require a special election anytime a supervisor leaves office in the first 33½ months of a term. January would be the 25th month of Church’s term.

In the meantime, the hopefuls have already started campaigning in District 1.

Papan is in her sixth year as a council member.

Holober says he has received lots of support for his candidacy and says he will provide the “sound, seasoned leadership to help navigate through what is a very difficult period of cutbacks.”

Pine said in an e-mail that he has been fundraising for several months and has already lined up the support of 100 community leaders.

District 1 includes:

n San Bruno n Millbraen Burlingamen Hillsboroughn San Francisco International Airportn Parts of San Mateo and South San Francisco